“I hope for him, that this punishment, I think it will be a good thing for him to change in the future”

Manuel Pellegrini

Chelsea are fearful that Costa will now be a marked man.

Boss Jose Mourinho was understood last night to be "bitterly disappointed" at the verdict which means he will also miss league games against Aston Villa and Everton.

The FA statement read: "Diego Costa will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after a charge of violent conduct against him was found proven by an independent regulatory commission.

"The Chelsea forward had denied the charge in relation to an on-field incident involving Liverpool's Emre Can which occurred in the 12th minute of the League Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, January 27, 2015.

"The incident was not seen by the match officials but caught on video."

Mourinho cancelled his normal pre-match press conference yesterday and with tensions running high is expected to refuse to speak again after the City game.

* Chelsea are expected to wrap up the the £27m signing of Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina over the weekend.

Mohamed Salah is due to go the other way on loan with Germany's Andre Schurrle expected to sign for Wolfsburg for around £22.5m.